8Bit/Digi

Give a Man a Mask and he will Become his True Self

It would be an understatement to say that Persona 5 is one of the most successful games. First released in 2016 for PlayStation consoles, it quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon. The game captivated players with its striking art style, refined gameplay, and one of the best soundtracks in modern gaming. It has also inspired numerous spin-offs, an anime adaptation, and even a live stage production. At the same time, it has inspired a new generation of developers who’ve used the exploits of the Phantom Thieves as a foundation for their own stories.

So it was only a matter of time before the series received its own free-to-play spin-off experience.

Persona 5: The Phantom X brings everything that made the original game iconic into a free-to-play format. While the concept might initially raise some suspicions, Atlus has managed to strike an ideal balance between preserving the series’ defining elements and adapting them to a free-to-play model. The end result is a game that longtime fans will enjoy and newcomers can use to see if Persona 5 is right for them.

Those Who Carry Out Justice

A spin-off of the acclaimed JRPG series, the game follows a new team of Phantom Thieves. Players take on the role of Nagisa Kamishiro, a student at Kokatsu Academy who is recruited to lead a new batch of Phantom Thieves. Guided by Lufel, other students are also brought into the group. By day, they attend school and enjoy various activities around the city. By night, they infiltrate cognitive dungeons to steal treasures and reform the twisted desires of corrupt adults.

Just like the original, Persona5: The Phantom X strikes an ideal balance between telling a compelling story and being genuinely fun to play. Unlike other Shin Megami Tensei titles, the plot is grounded in reality while still embracing its supernatural elements. This is conveyed through two key aspects: relatable characters and a familiar social environment. The heroes and villains feel like people you might actually know or recognize from real life, and the game’s depiction of societal power structures hits close to home. However, these themes were already explored more effectively in the original game, while The Phantom X fails to expand or deepen them. Instead, it opts to play it safe by sticking to familiar and reliable territory.

Give Me Your Power

The gameplay in The Phantom X is divided between the real world and the events that unfold in the Metaverse. In the real world, the emphasis lies on personal development. This is where you cultivate your character, enhance social skills, and forge bonds with your fellow Phantom Thieves. However, it’s crucial not to neglect your social responsibilities, as growing these relationships will prove instrumental in overcoming the challenges of the Metaverse.

The Metaverse serves as the main battleground for combat in The Phantom X. The primary locations players will explore are a target’s castle and the ever-shifting depths of Mementos. As the leader of the Phantom Thieves, you’ll guide your team through these surreal and dangerous environments. Along the way, you’ll battle Shadows, uncover valuable treasures, and face increasingly powerful enemies. While the main story unfolds within the castle, Mementos offers a chance to strengthen your characters and their Personas.

Combat in The Phantom X is no different from other Persona or Shin Megami Tensei titles. Players form a pact with a Persona and harness its power during battle. The game uses the traditional turn-based system, rewarding those who exploit enemy weaknesses with an all-out attack.

Players can also strengthen their Persona’s by visiting Igor and fusing two together to create a more powerful ally. This familiar setup ensures that fans of the series will feel right at home in every encounter.

Thou Art I… And I Am Thou

Going over everything I enjoyed about The Phantom X would be redundant, as it’s built on the same elements that made Persona 5 a masterpiece. At its core, it uses the original’s foundation to tell its own story and create a fresh adventure. From the very beginning, it makes one thing clear: if you’re a Persona fan, this will all feel instantly familiar. It literally opens with the first few minutes of Persona 5 before shifting into The Phantom X. Everything that made the original a classic is front and center, from the familiar gameplay and striking visual design to the brilliant use of color. Even Lyn Inaizumi’s unforgettable soundtrack returns in full force.

Now comes the elephant in the room: just how intrusive are the game’s monetization elements? One major concern among players has been the presence of microtransactions and whether they disrupt the game’s overall immersion. It’s a valid worry, especially in a title that builds its identity on story, style, and atmosphere. The Phantom X understands this concern and avoids being pushy with its microtransactions. After playing for over 10 hours, I never once felt pressured to make a purchase or pushed toward spending money. At no point does the game force your hand or limit your experience. Instead, it allows you to enjoy the game just as freely as Persona 5.

This also highlights something that often goes unmentioned: The Phantom X works well as an introduction for newcomers who haven’t played Persona 5. I understand the hesitation some players feel when approaching a new series. That’s why I recommend The Phantom X as a great starting point to get a feel for what the Persona franchise offers. In many ways, it can be treated like a demo before committing to the original.

Corruption of Desires

Carrying over everything that defines Persona 5 also means inheriting some of its flaws. As with the original, one of my main gripes with The Phantom X is its slow start. I’ve never been a fan of games that take too long to unlock basic features as it disrupts both pacing and engagement. In a story-driven game like Persona 5, skipping the introduction means missing key context about the characters and plot. However, what makes The Phantom X feel different is that much of the tutorial retreads familiar ground. Having already played the original, being forced through a lengthy reintroduction to the gameplay feels redundant. While some gameplay tweaks exist, they’re not significant enough to confuse fans of the original.

One issue unique to The Phantom X is the janky feel when using a console controller. With a mouse and keyboard, the game runs perfectly fine and responds without any problems. However, once I connect my Xbox One controller to my PC, the input response noticeably drops. There’s a clear delay between pressing a button and seeing the corresponding action happen on screen. At the same time, movement through the game and UI navigation becomes sluggish. This seems to be a problem exclusive to The Phantom X, as I didn’t experience it when playing Persona 5, Persona 3 Reload, or Persona 4: Golden HD as a comparison.

Show Me Your True Form

Persona 5: The Phantom X takes the defining elements of a masterpiece and adapts them for the free-to-play model. At its core, everything that made Persona 5 a beloved title is present, without compromising quality or aggressively pushing microtransactions. While it does have its flaws, they don’t significantly disrupt the overall experience.

Disclaimer: This is a free-to-play game.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Persona5: The Phantom X (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• Easy to learn combat and gameplay mechanics.
• Everything that made Persona 5 a masterpiece is front and center.
• Game is not too pushy with the microtransactions.
• A good introduction to Persona 5 for new gamers.

Cons

• Explores the same themes as the original game without any nuance.
• It still takes sometime for everything to open up.
• Combat and action feel janky when using a console controller.